Revisiting the Adventure
My previous motorcycle-buying adventure turned out to be less than stellar, fraught with anxiety and mechanical mishaps.
Imagine riding home on a bike with worn tires, faulty bearings, and a battery that had seen better days—it was a nerve-racking experience to say the least.
Yet, when the time came to hunt for a replacement for that GS, I couldn’t resist the thrill and once again opted to purchase a motorcycle without laying eyes on it first.
This time, I raised the stakes: my journey began in the biting cold of winter, traveling two hours from north-central New Jersey just as daylight faded away.
Not my wisest move, I’ll admit!
However, I approached this purchase more strategically.
The motorcycle I chose was a nearly-new GSX-8R, rather similar to the GS I once owned, sourced from a dealer.
It only needed a phone mount and a license plate before I could hit the open road.
With just 1,000 miles on the clock, the bike was in fantastic shape—well, almost.
The Ride Home
As I hit the road post-purchase, snow blanketed the paths ahead.
Earlier in the season, I had promised myself to embrace winter riding, but, truth be told, that resolution wasn’t exactly upheld.
The lithium battery from my GS succumbed to New York’s cold, and foolishly, I hadn’t charged it before parting ways with that bike.
So, here I was, preparing to ride the Suzuki home in frigid conditions.
I suited up in my winter gear, only to discover that not all the pieces fit together as planned.
As a result, only my torso and hands enjoyed any semblance of warmth during the ride.
On the bright side, the fairing shielded my lower half from the frigid winds while cruising along the highway, but my feet? Oh, they were ice blocks for most of the trip! It seems I really should have splurged on those Gore-Tex boots I’ve been eyeing.
Lesson learned, for sure!
The GSX-8R had earned a reputation as a compact sport tourer, and I seized this journey as the perfect opportunity to test that claim myself.
To my delight, it lived up to the expectations! I had feared that the lack of a tall windscreen—unlike my GS—would make the long stretches unbearable.
Contrary to my worries, the bike’s low fairing deflected the wind to my chest while keeping my helmet in clear air.
I forgot to wear earplugs, yet my eardrums didn’t ring as I pulled into my driveway.
I’m choosing to credit the bike’s impressive aerodynamics rather than my deteriorating hearing!
Future Customizations
As for riding position, it’s a bit more forward-leaning than a traditional supersport, but not overly so, especially compared to my former GS.
The lever position could use a tweak since it feels a tad high and forces my wrists into an uncomfortable angle.
Nonetheless, the overall ergonomics strike a delightful balance between sportiness and comfort, making it perfect for city journeys while still offering track potential.
Speaking of track potential, the engine packs a notable punch that I’m excited to explore.
With its 800 cc parallel twin engine, it delivers similar power on paper to what my GS offered.
Yet its 270-degree crank design makes for a distinctly smoother torque response, lending an eager character to its acceleration.
Plus, it weighs about 50 pounds less, which is always a plus!
Some tweaks are definitely in order to enhance its track capabilities.
The tank comes adorned with some rather slippery Suzuki-branded cosmetic decals that leave much to be desired for practicality.
Once the weather warms up, I’ll swap those for proper tank grips.
I also plan to tidy up the tail section, emptying my wallet just a little more after this significant purchase.
After all, a motorcycle should embody a part of who we are.
After two hours of riding from sunset into the night, with temperatures beginning at a brisk 33 degrees and only getting colder, I should have been eager to dismount by the time I reached my Brooklyn block.
Strangely enough, the thought of taking another lap just to soak in the ride longer crossed my mind.
It’s clear that the GSX-8R is a fantastic match for me, and I have a feeling we’ll get even closer as I customize it to suit my style.
Sometimes, taking a leap of faith on a sight-unseen motorcycle can yield surprisingly joyful results.